Archive for the ‘Around town’ Category

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SDOT wants your input on how to make NE 75th Street safer

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 by

Responding to concerns raised by residents, the Seattle Department of Transportation is working with the community to review roadway conditions along NE 75th Street and nearby roadways.

Since collision data shows that the majority of collisions are caused by behavioral issues such as speeding, distraction, and impairment (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), SDOT will pair roadway modifications with new enforcement strategies and area-specific educational outreach.

Early Improvements

Following through on commitments made in community discussions over the past year, the City is already moving forward with several initiatives immediately to enhance safety in the area:

- The bus load zone for Eckstein Middle School on NE 75th Street was repainted in April 2013. Please respect the signs and pavement markings to ensure student safety

- Flashing beacons to enhance the visibility of the school zone speed limit will be installed this spring

- School zone speed enforcement cameras will be installed on NE 75th Street in 2013

- The intersection of NE 68th Street and 25th Avenue NE will be evaluated for a traffic signal

- The crosswalk at NE 68th Street and 25th Avenue NE will be remarked with fresh and highly visible paint

SDOT previously made the following improvements to help address roadway concerns in this neighborhood:

- Pedestrian countdown signals (which countdown the number of seconds left to cross the street) and new east/west left turn signals were installed in June 2011 at NE 75th Street and 35th Avenue NE

- A new marked crosswalk to cross the south leg of 30th Avenue NE at the intersection of NE 75th Street was installed in May 2012

- Pedestrian countdown signals were installed at the school crosswalk signal at NE 75th Street and 31st Avenue NE in 2013

Get Involved

A series of community meetings have been scheduled to listen to community concerns, share traffic data, and develop strategies to lower vehicle speeds and reduce collisions. These meetings are open to the general public and all are welcome.

Issue Identification Meetings – April-May 2013

Purpose: Review existing conditions and traffic data, discuss toolbox of potential improvements, and hear concerns and ideas from residents

- Tuesday, April 23rd, 6-8:30PM,
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE

- Thursday, April 25th, 2-4PM,
Wedgwood Presbyterian Church, 8008 35th Ave NE

- Wednesday, May 1st, 7-9PM,
Calvary Christian Assembly, 6801 Roosevelt Way NE

 

Read more about the NE 75th Street Road Safety Corridor Project, here. 

Posted in Advocacy, Around town, Commuting, Road & Trail News, SDOT | 1 Comment »

Puget Sound Bike Share selects Alta Bicycle Share as operator; Phase I to launch in Spring 2014

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 by

Puget Sound Bike Share announced today that it has selected Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share as its operator/vendor to plan, launch and sustain a regional bike share network beginning with approximately 500 bikes and 50 stations in Seattle and eventually expanding into other areas of the Puget Sound region.

One of the most experienced bike share companies in North America, Alta is the vendor/operator behind the highly successful Capital Bike Share in Washington D.C. and Boston’s Hubway. In the coming months, Alta will launch Citibike in New York City, the largest bike share network in the nation, as well as systems in Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Portland and San Francisco.

Puget Sound Bike Share announced the selection of Alta in a posting on its Facebook page.  In the note, executive director Holly Houser wrote:

“We have been and continue to be impressed with Alta’s approach to bike share and their ability to partner with cities and successfully deliver location-specific systems.  Alta is able to address a number of the Seattle’s unique challenges, offering innovative solar technology, 7-speed bikes and an integrated helmet vending solution. Alta brings the experience and state of the art equipment to operate a bike share network that meets revenue goals and appeals to users with intuitive design and top notch service.

Bike share systems in world class cities from Paris to London to Washington D.C. have become instantly iconic symbols of vibrant and progressive urban centers.  It’s our turn now.  Bike sharing belongs here.

This is a huge milestone for us, and with state and federal grants pending, we are ready to actively pursue a title or presenting corporate sponsor. This is a rare and exceptional opportunity for a visionary partner to support and associate themselves with a transformative community-wide program.”

Puget Sound Bike Share will now enter into contract negotiations with Alta, with a goal beginning launch preparations in early summer.

 

Posted in Around town, Bike Share, News | No Comments »

Woman attacked by bike thief on Dexter Avenue North

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 by

At 6:45 a.m this morning, a woman was attacked while riding her bike on Dexter Avenue North by a man attempting to steal her bicycle.

While H.Y. has a black eye and a bruised mouth, the attacker was unsuccessful in taking her bike.

H.Y. was heading north, coming up to the bus stop just below the Aurora Bridge, when she saw a pedestrian. She slowed down, anticipating him to cross the street in front of her. Instead the man pushed her, punched her twice in the face and grabbed a hold of her bike. H.Y. fought back, pushing the attacker off her and freeing herself and her bike. The attacker tripped and fell, allowing H.Y. to reach for an old knife she carried in her pack. When the attacker saw that she had a knife, he ran off  but returned only moments later to warn her not to call the cops. He then got on the next bus and left the scene.

While H.Y. has a black eye and a bruised mouth, the man was unsuccessful in taking her bike.

“I would like to get the word out that a cyclist was attacked while cycling downhill. I always felt safe from attacks while moving. I have also felt absolute no threat from pedestrians on Dexter. This is no longer true,” she stated.

H.Y. said she was glad to have an old scuba knife on her as she fears pepper spray would not have stopped her attacker.

H.Y. described her attacker as a black male in his late twenties or early thrities. He was wearing a leopard design hoody, dark jacket and sport glasses. She said he was around 5’8’’, built like a runner, clean shaven and had short hair.

He was last seen taking the 28 bus.

Please contact Seattle Police Officer Parnell at 206.684-8917 if you have any information. Remember to report (attempted) bike thefts, hazards and bike crashes on BikeWise.org.

Posted in Around town, Commuting, News, Stolen Bikes | 14 Comments »

Bicycle Sundays kick off in May

Thursday, April 11th, 2013 by

Cascade Bicycle Club, together with  Seattle Parks and Recreation, will be continuing Bike Sundays this summer.

On select Sundays between May 5 and September 22, we’ll close a two-and-a-half-mile stretch along Lake Washington Boulevard to motor vehicle traffic, allowing users to bicycle, rollerblade and walk in a car- and stress-free environment.

The car-free zone runs between Mount Baker Park and Seward Park, which provide parking, restrooms and playgrounds. Cascade Bicycle Ambassadors will be on site with information and low-cost helmets.

The road will be closed from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the following Sundays:

  • May 5, 12 and 19
  • June 2, 16 and 30
  • July 7 and 14
  • August 25
  • September 1, 15 and 22

See you there!

Posted in Around town | 1 Comment »

Mayor advances plans for new Ship Canal crossing

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013 by

Mayor McGinn announced today that he is advancing plans to study a new crossing of the Ship Canal and a high capacity transit corridor from downtown to the University District via South Lake Union and Eastlake. The City Council had previously approved funding to begin study of the University District to South Lake Union corridor project in 2014.

“These two projects are essential to connecting more of our neighborhoods with better transit, including rail,” McGinn said. “A new crossing of the Ship Canal can significantly improve transit service, provide people who walk and bike a better alternative to congestion on our existing bridges, and create space for freight. The University District to South Lake Union project can also help bring rail to one of our most heavily used transit corridors, supporting future growth in jobs and housing.”

McGinn is proposing to advance that study to this year and begin the Ship Canal Crossing study this year in order to help ensure both projects can be eligible for competitive federal grants and other funding sources.

"A new crossing of the Ship Canal can significantly improve transit service and provide people who walk and bike a better alternative to congestion on our existing bridges" -McGinn.

Traffic on the Ballard and Fremont bridges causes delays for transit and vehicles on these heavily used routes. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities on both bridges do not meet minimum design standards. The City’s Transit Master Plan and Bicycle Master Plan already envision a new crossing of the Ship Canal to address these concerns. Future growth in northwest Seattle will add to the need for a new crossing.

“More space for transit, bicyclists and pedestrians on a separate crossing will help ease congestion for freight mobility and make it easier for people to travel north-south,” said Eugene Wasserman, of the North Seattle Industrial Association. “I support funding this crossing study”.

The Ship Canal Crossing study would evaluate several crossing concepts and analyze their feasibility, focusing on pedestrian, bicycle and transit needs while considering freight and automobile functions. The study would develop conceptual design alternatives and prepare cost estimates, and coordinate with Seattle’s Transit Master Plan and Sound Transit long-range planning. The cost of this study is $500,000.

“It’s hard to get around Seattle on a bike, especially if your trip requires you to cross the Ship Canal as your options are either intimidating, inconvenient or not safe. It doesn’t have to be this way”, said Craig Benjamin of the Cascade Bicycle Club. “Another crossing would make it safer and faster for everyone to get around Seattle, whether you drive, ride transit, bike or walk.”

The University District to South Lake Union via Eastlake route was identified as a top priority high-capacity transit corridor in the Transit Master Plan approved by the City Council in 2012. This project would serve a route that is different from Sound Transit’s University Link light rail.
Rising demand is expected to exceed existing transit capacity on this route, leading the City to propose studying improved transit service such as rail or bus rapid transit. The Transit Master Plan indicated that up to 25,000 riders per day would use passenger rail on this corridor. As South Lake Union continues to expand its capacity for office and residential growth, riders per day could be even higher.

The University District to South Lake Union High Capacity Transit study would develop conceptual design alternatives and cost estimates for rail, bus rapid transit, and enhanced bus service on that route. It would also coordinate with Metro and with Sound Transit long-range planning. The proposed budget for this study is $2,000,000. The current budget includes $1,000,000.

“We all want more transit but expanding our transit system — no matter what the mode — doesn’t just happen on its own. It requires careful study, planning, and construction to ensure the best use of public dollars,” said Councilmember Richard Conlin, chair of the land use committee. “The sooner we move forward with these efforts, the sooner our neighborhoods will enjoy the benefits of improved transit, walkability, and bikability.”

Posted in Advocacy, Around town, News | 4 Comments »

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